SPU vs. Northland College

Should I go to Seattle Pacific University or Northland College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if SPU or Northland College is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Seattle Pacific University vs. Northland College comparison
Seattle Pacific University Northland College College 3 College 4
Seattle Pacific University Northland College
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Overview

SPU Northland College
Location Seattle, WA Ashland, WI
Setting Large City Remote Town
Enrollment 2,659 485
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #246
Religious Affiliation Free Methodist United Church of Christ - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website spu.edu northland.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

SPU Northland College
Tuition (In State) $37,965 $40,910
Tuition (Out of State) $37,965 $40,910
Room & Board $15,498 $11,100
Avg Net Price $26,155 $24,020
Avg Grant Aid $28,070 $30,355
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 100%

Admission

SPU Northland College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,806 894
Admitted 2,556 642
Acceptance Rate 91.1% 71.8%
Enrolled % 14.9% 16%
Avg High School GPA 3.53 3.3
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 20/28 21/25
SAT Range 1050/1320 1096/1318
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jul 11, 2026

Academics

SPU Northland College
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 8:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (13%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Natural Resources Conservation (23%)
  • Biology (22%)
  • Education (15%)
  • Physical Sciences (9%)
  • Business (8%)

Outcomes

SPU Northland College
Graduation Rate 74% 48%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $50,400 $34,900
Making Student Loan Payments 82% 73%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,603 $26,943
Median Loan Payment $264 $278

Diversity

SPU Northland College
% Men 6% 2%
% Women 16% 3%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 61% 83%
% Black 4% 1%
% Hispanic 10% 6%
% Native American 0% 2%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 8% 2%
% International 4% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 4%

Students

SPU Northland College
% In-State 71% 39%
% Out-of-State 26% 50%

Campus

SPU Northland College
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Seattle Pacific University is larger than than Northland College based on total student enrollment (2,659 students vs. 485 students)

SPU vs. Northland College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SPU or Northland College?

  • Northland College is 7.8% more expensive to attend than SPU for in-state tuition ($40,910.00 vs. $37,965.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 7.8% higher at Northland College than Seattle Pacific University ($40,910.00 vs. $37,965.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northland College than SPU ($24,020 vs. $26,155)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northland College are 39.6% lower than costs at Seattle Pacific University ($11,100 vs. $15,498)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northland College than Seattle Pacific University (100% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northland College students is 8.1% larger than aid received Seattle Pacific University ($30,355 vs. $28,070)

SPU vs. Northland College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SPU or Northland College? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Northland College or SPU .

  • The average SAT score at Seattle Pacific University (1145) is 27 points higher than at Northland College (1118)
  • Incoming SPU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at Northland College (25)
  • Accepted freshman SPU students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Northland College (3.3)
  • SPU has a higher acceptance rate (91.1%) than Northland College (71.8%)

SPU vs. Northland College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, SPU or Northland College? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Northland College and SPU.

  • The graduation rate at SPU is higher than Northland College (74% vs. 48%)
  • Graduates from Seattle Pacific University earn on average $15,500 more per year than Northland College graduates after ten years. ($50,400 vs. $34,900)
  • Seattle Pacific University students graduate with a $1,340 lower median federal student loan debt than Northland College graduates. ($25,603 vs. $26,943)
  • SPU graduates are paying $14 less per month on federal student loans than Northland College graduates. ($264 vs. $278)
  • More SPU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northland College students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 73%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/